Pipe clamp



March 8,1932. l D. w. HlcKEY 1,848,527

PIPE CLAMP Filed July 26, 1930 Qwuenko/o v jared?? Patented Mar. 89 1932 PATENT. OFFICE DANIEL W. HIGKEY, OF ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA PIPE cLAMr .Application led July 26,

This invention relates to pipe clamps for use in temporarily holding pipe sections together in situ preparatory to welding or brazing the joints. As fai' as I am aware,

the clamps heretofore provided for pipe are unsuited for such use because of their cumbersome, relatively complicated structure and excessive weight.

It is my object to facilitate the work of 1o welding sections'of pipe together, in systems such as .those employed for plumbing and heating purposes, by providing novel, compact clamps for quickly securing the sections in proper positions for welding or brazing.

The invention will be best understood 'by reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of my device in position for securing two straight sections of pipe in end to end relation; Fig. 2 is a transverse section taken along on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 and Fig. 4 is a side elevation showing the device in use for securing a transverse or branch pipe to another pipe in suitable positions for welding.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, I provide a longitudinal member 5 consisting of a single piece of angle bar adapted to form a trough to receive adjoining ends of pipe sections 6 which are to be joined at their 'ends 7h The member 5 is sufficiently long to accurately direct the pipe sections. The pipe sections are adapted to be secured in the longitudinal member by chains 8 having pairs of pins 9 .projecting from each link to engage claws 10 projecting from one side of the member 5. vThese claws 10.are rigid projections fromthe end ofl a plate 11 and, as shown in Fig. 3, are spaced apart to receive the chain 8 between them. The plate 11 1930. serial 110,471,054.

to permit movement laterally from the axis of the screw 13 as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1.

.For use in securing a laterally extending pipe section 16 to a pipe section 17, I pro- 55 vide, in place of the straight member 5, angle bars 18 and 19 arranged as shown in Fig. 4. The section 18 of angle bar is rigidly 4straight pipe sections together the ends to be joined are placed in the trough formed by the longitudinal member 5 and then the chains 8 are merely thrown over the pi es and engaged with the claws V10. Fina y, the handles 15 are manipulated to draw the chains 8 tightly about the pipe. The long bearing for the pipe sections insures proper retention of the straight. sections in alignment. For elbow and T joints and else- 8o Where where a lateral pipe is to be joined, the angular arrangement of members 18 and 19 is provided and the pipe sections may be clamped thereto in manner which will now be readily understood. After a number of pipe sections have thus been assembled in situ they may be quickly welded or brazed together and then the clamps may be removed by loosening the chains and disengagmg the pinsl 9 from the claws 10. In order to weld 9U the portion of the joint within the trough formed by the members 5, it is necessary tc remove the clamp. This can be done after the pipe is partially secured by welding.

By constructing the longitudinal member rom'a single bar of standard, heavy auge metal, I so reduce the cost of the evice that a 'large number may be economically employed in assembling asystem of the class described. The angle bar aionds a continuous A00 bearing to insure proper alignment and gives strength and rigidity to the structure. The V shaped pipe engaging m-ember is alsol adapted to receive pipes of Widely different sizes. 5 Having described my invention, What claim as'new and desiretto protect by Letters Patent is:

l. A clamp for securing a plurality of pipes in fixed relative positions comprising a rigid l@ bar having longitudinally spaced sections each provided with angularly disposed contact surfaces adapted to engage a pipe at points spaced on its periphery and also spaced Widely along the pipe, a single chain for each section of said bar positioned to engage the periphery of a pipe between sai-d Widely spaced contact points, means adjustably con` necting an end of each of said chains to a side of said bar and means adapted to be manipulated to tighten the chains. 2. A clamp for securing a plurality of pipes in fixed relative positions comprising arigid bar having longitudinally spaced sections, angularly disposed to'each other and each provided with angularly disposed contact surfaces adapted to engage a pipe at points 4spaced, on its periphery and also spaced Widely along the pipe,a single chain for each section of said bar positioned to engage the periphery of a pipe between said widelyv spaced points of Contact, means adjustably connecting an end of each of said chains to a side of said bar and means adapted to be manipulated to tighten the chains. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name to this specification. e

DANIELv W. HICKEY. 

